September is one powerful month. More than January, it’s often seen as a time of new beginnings, new routines and renewed energy. And that’s what makes it the perfect time to celebrate recovery in every way, shape and form.
What is Recovery Month?
Every year, the dawn of September marks the beginning of Recovery Month, a long-standing national observance that promotes the benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for substance use and mental health disorders. It also celebrates those in recovery while honouring the contributions of treatment and service providers. The goal is to educate people and spread the word that behavioural health is essential to overall health. But most importantly, it’s to help those who are struggling to get the treatment they need to live a healthy and rewarding life.
Now in its 32nd year, Recovery Month has perhaps never been more welcomed than it has in 2021. In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or addiction problem. In fact, by the time they reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have—or have had—a mental illness, and those numbers have only increased since the pandemic began. Unless people receive proper treatment, the impact of substance abuse and mental health disorders on a person’s economic, social and work relationships can cause debilitating personal and financial hardships that can seem increasingly challenging to overcome.
Through seminars, documentaries, public service announcements, awareness walks and shared stories, communities band together to bring hope. And every year uncovers new resources, new data and new treatments available to help improve awareness and access, along with preventative education to improve outcomes all around.
The History Of Recovery Month
In September 1989, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched National Recovery Month to increase awareness around mental health and addiction, and year after year it has gained momentum nationally. In Ontario, the first annual recovery campaign was hosted in 2006 and since then, cities throughout the country have welcomed the notion with open arms by dedicating and celebrating their own recovery days throughout the month.
How Does EHN Canada Recognize Recovery Month?
Aside from providing essential mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs, EHN has helped lead the charge of Recovery Month across Canada, through support of and participation in sponsorship of city-specific Recovery Days in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg.
We have also created EHN Online to support virtual treatment efforts—the perfect complement to Online Recovery Day being celebrated across the country on September 22nd. Offering intensive virtual mental health and addiction solutions, our online outpatient programs provide barrier-free and easily accessible support to those who need it most.
EHN Online’s Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are for those who are:
- Unable to leave their home/career to receive support
- Trying counseling apps, conventional therapy/counseling but need more structure
- Tired of re-explaining their situation to numerous professionals and would prefer a more cohesive recovery experience
- Considering taking medication for worsening symptoms
- Looking for more than just therapy
- In recovery and looking for a refresher course
- Not ready for an inpatient rehab program but want to continue their recovery process
What EHN Online can help with:
Alcohol and Drug Addiction – Our Substance Use Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is designed to help individuals stop or reduce harmful drug or alcohol consumption, improve their health and social function, and manage their risk for relapse.
Mood (Depression) and Anxiety – This IOP is for individuals struggling with mood or anxiety disorders like depression, anxiety or panic looking to manage or alleviate symptoms. The supported and structured treatment experience allows patients to make meaningful changes in order to sustain long-term recoveries.
Workplace Trauma – The IOP for workplace trauma was created specifically for individuals with unique careers that tend to cause a disproportionate amount of anxiety, trauma or addiction. It provides a safe and informative place to help begin the process of understanding and healing from work-related trauma.
Teen Mental Health – The Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program was designed for teens aged 14-17 who are struggling with symptoms of mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety. It provides a safe space for teens to connect with other teens who are experiencing similar feelings. It also includes a caregiver program to help foster a cooperative and informed healing environment at home.
How Can I Support My Loved Ones In Recovery?
When it comes to addiction, family members are profoundly affected. Not only does it damage family dynamics, erode trust and weaken communications, it brings on a whole host of painful emotions for the person suffering and the family alike. In fact, family members often know there’s a problem long before their loved one who is suffering does.
The frustration in most cases comes from getting the person to admit they have a problem with alcohol or drugs in the first place. Equally frustrating is the hopelessness families feel in response to the substance abuse. But there is hope. One of the best ways families can help their loved ones achieve and maintain sobriety is with some guided help. And EHN Canada has just the solution.
Our Family Program is designed to help loved ones gain a greater understanding about the process of both addiction and recovery through lectures, films and discussions with compassionate clinical staff.
EHN Canada’s 3 Half-Days Family Program:
- Offers psycho-educational sessions on alcohol and drug addiction, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, trauma and PTSD
- Offers education around what early recovery looks like
- Provides a safe, confidential and supportive setting for families to examine how addiction has affected everyone psychologically, emotionally, socially and physically
- Provides the opportunity for families to examine their own adaptations, such as enabling behaviours, struggles with control and co-dependency
For more information about EHN Canada’s family recovery programs, including dates and rates, click here.
Looking For More Ways To Get Involved In Recovery Month?
Attend an event – Virtually every province in the country is celebrating Recovery Month. Look for online, as well as in-person recovery events in your city.
Share your story – If you or someone close to you is suffering, talk about it on your social media platform of choice and add the #RecoveryMonth hashtag. Not only does each success story help educate and improve understanding, it provides answers to those who have questions and want to get the help they need.
Help others – Try to connect individuals in need of care to professionals who can provide them with much-needed treatment programs. If you’re already in recovery, you could reach out to organizations to learn more about what you can do to help individuals who might not be as far down the pathway to recovery as you are.
Recovery looks different for everyone, but by continuing to speak openly about addiction we can help erase the stigma so those struggling know that it’s never too late to get support they need.
EHN CAN HELP
Whether you’re an individual who needs help with your mental health or substance use disorder, or you’re an employer who has employees who need help—we’re here for you.
